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Nuclear ultrastructure of malpighian tubule cells in Triatoma infestas (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) under conditions of pull nourishment and starvation

Maria Luiza S. Mello; Heidi Dolder; Creuza A. Dias

Departamento de Biologia Celular, Instituto de Biologia, UNICAMP, 13081 Campinas, SP, Brasil

ABSTRACT

The ultrastructure of the Malpighian tubule cell nuclei of Triatoma infestans was studied with emphasis on the chromocenter-nucleolus complex, in fully-nourished and starved specimens. For at least part of the nuclei of starved insects, changes were observed involving the appearance of perichromatin granules at the chromocentral edge not in association with nucleolar components, total or partial disappearance of the nucleolonemal threads with associated granules, and a decrease in electron opacity in some chromocenters. The latter is assumed to be associated with the heterochromatin unravelling induced by stress and previously suggested with image analysis. The ultrastructural aspect of the nuclei 24 hours after the starved insects were fed a blood meal was practically not different from that of the fully-nourished controls. Small granules not bleached with the EDTA method described as preferentially staining RNA, were found inside chromocenters of the insects under full nourishment and of those fed following starvation. These stained areas of the chromocenters are assumed to contain less tightly packed chromatin and may be sites with some transcriptional activity.

Keywords: Malpighian tubule; Triatoma infestans; Starvation.

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